Smoking cessation and weight management method and kit

ABSTRACT

A cessation and management method comprising removing a physical aspect, wherein removing the physical aspect includes instructing a user to manipulate a delivery time of a substance, and instructing the user to control a consumption amount of the substance, correcting a behavioral association, wherein correcting the behavioral associations includes instructing the user to determine a personal goal and fixing it to a medium, facilitating the user to reprogram thoughts and activities, and facilitating the user to replace an old negative behavior with a new positive behavior, and providing a plurality of life cards to assist the removal of the physical aspect and the correction of the behavioral associations. Furthermore, an associated smoking cessation kit and weight management kit is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for smokingcessation and weight management, and more specifically to controllingboth the physical aspect of an addiction and the behavioral aspect ofsmoking cessation and weight management.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cigarette addiction and obesity pose a significant health risk to manypeople. Smoking cigarettes can lead to lung cancer, emphysema, throatcancer, and many other illnesses. Two main drivers behind cigaretteaddiction are physical addiction and behavioral association of dailyactivities with the act of smoking a cigarette, which impacts everydaylife. Quitting smoking is difficult, especially in view of the tightcontrol over the human body and its subconscious. Similarly, obesity canlead to heart complications, diabetes, stroke, and many other illnesses.Two main drivers behind obesity are lack of physical activity andbehavioral associations with sedentary and other behavior. Managingweight can also be difficult considering that overeating accentuatessuch sedentary behavior such as watching television, consuming alcohol,and relaxing.

Hence, a need exists for a smoking cessation and weight managementsystem and method to successfully quit smoking and manage weight toavoid known health risks associated with cigarette addiction andobesity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first general aspect of the invention provides a cessation andmanagement method comprising removing a physical aspect of an addiction,wherein removing the physical aspect of an addiction includesinstructing a user to manipulate a delivery time of a substance, andinstructing the user to control a consumption amount of the substance,correcting a behavioral association, wherein correcting the behavioralassociations includes instructing the user to determine a personal goaland fixing it to a medium, facilitating the user to reprogram thoughtsand activities, and facilitating the user to replace an old negativebehavior with a new positive behavior, and providing a plurality of lifecards to assist the removal of the physical aspect and the correction ofthe behavioral associations.

A second general aspect of the invention provides a smoking cessationmethod comprising instructing a user to determine a personal goal,wherein the personal goal is fixed in a medium, instructing the user todetermine a fixed interval of time in between smoking a cigarette,instructing the user to smoke the cigarette at each of the fixedintervals of time rather than in response to a lower nicotine level in abloodstream, providing a plurality of life cards, wherein the life cardsprovide support in between smoking another cigarette at a next intervaltime, and providing a media component to facilitate a quieting of aninternal dialogue.

A third general aspect of the invention provides a weight managementmethod comprising instructing a user to determine a personal goal andfixing the personal goal to a medium, instructing the user to calculatea body mass index to determine a target caloric intake, instructing theuser to determine a fixed interval of time in between consuming food,instructing the user to consume the food at each of the fixed intervalsof time, the food having a number of calories proportionate to thetarget caloric intake, wherein the number of calories consumed at all ofthe fixed intervals in a day are below a daily caloric intake, providinga plurality of life cards, wherein the life cards provide support to theuser in between consuming more food at a next interval time, andproviding at least one media component to facilitate a quieting of aninternal dialogue.

A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a method comprisingreceiving, by a computer processor of a computing system from a userinterface, a first input data, wherein the first input data is apersonal goal chosen by a user, receiving, by the computer processorfrom the user interface, a second input data, wherein the second inputdata includes a fixed interval of time determined by the user,transmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface, areal-time notification indicating an occurrence of the second inputdata, receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, aconfirmation of an occurrence of an event, wherein the event is the usersmoking a cigarette, presenting, by the computer processor to the userinterface, a plurality of life cards, wherein the plurality of lifecards support the user in between the user smoking another cigarette,and transmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface inresponse to a request from the user interface, at least one audio/visualfile, wherein the at least one audio/visual file, when played, quiets aninternal dialogue of the user.

A fifth general aspect of the invention provides a method comprisingreceiving, by a computer processor of a computing system from a userinterface, a first input data, wherein the first input data is apersonal goal chosen by a user, receiving, by the computer processorfrom the user interface, a second input data, wherein the second inputdata includes a fixed interval of time determined by the user,receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, a thirdinput data, wherein the third input data is a target caloric intake ofthe user, transmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface,a real-time notification indicating an occurrence of the second inputdata, receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, aconfirmation of an occurrence of an event, wherein the event is the userconsuming food at the fixed interval of time, the food having a numberof calories proportionate to the target caloric intake, further whereinthe number of calories consumed at all of the fixed intervals in a dayare below a target caloric intake, presenting, by the computer processorto the user interface, a plurality of life cards, wherein the pluralityof life cards support the user in between the user consuming more food,and transmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface inresponse to a request from the user interface, at least one audio/visualfile, wherein the at least one audio/visual file, when played, quiets aninternal dialogue of the user.

A sixth general aspect of the invention provides a kit comprising aplurality of life cards, wherein the life cards provide support to auser, at least one media component, a set of instructions, wherein theinstructions include instructing the user to determine a personal goal,wherein the personal goal is fixed in a medium, instructing the user todetermine a fixed interval of time in between smoking a cigarette,instructing the user to smoke the cigarette at each of the fixedintervals of time rather than in response to a lower nicotine level in abloodstream, and at least one publication, the at least one publicationincluding a plurality of personal success stories about quittingsmoking.

A seventh general aspect of the invention includes a kit comprising aplurality of life cards, wherein the life cards provide support to auser, at least one media component, a set of instructions, wherein theinstructions include instructing the user to determine a personal goaland fixing the personal goal to a medium, instructing the user tocalculate a body mass index to determine a target caloric intake,instructing the user to determine a fixed interval of time in betweenconsuming food, instructing the user to consume the food at each of thefixed intervals of time, the food having a number of caloriesproportionate to the target caloric intake, wherein the number ofcalories consumed at all of the fixed intervals in a day are below adaily caloric intake, and at least one publication, the publicationincluding a plurality of personal success stories about managing andlosing weight.

The foregoing and other features of construction and operation of theinvention will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from thefollowing detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail,with reference to the following figures, wherein like designationsdenote like members, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a cessation and managementmethod, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a first step of a cessationand management method, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a second step of acessation and management method, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of multiple embodiments of life cards,in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a smoking cessation method,in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a weight management method,in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a system that is used with acomputer-implemented smoking cessation method and a computer-implementedweight management method, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a computer-implementedsmoking cessation method, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of embodiments of a computer-implementedweight management method, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a computer apparatus used with acomputer-implemented smoking cessation method and a computer-implementedweight management method, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a smokingcessation kit, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a weightmanagement kit, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments of the present invention are shown anddescribed in detail, it should be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theappended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way belimited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof,the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and aredisclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present invention.

As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, asused in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a cessationand management method 100. The cessation and management method 100 mayinclude removing a physical aspect of an addiction 10, correcting abehavioral association 20, and providing a plurality of life cards 55 toassist and/or support the removal of the physical aspect of an addiction10 and the correction of the behavioral associations 20.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of removing a physical aspect 10. Removinga physical aspect of an addiction 10 may include manipulating a deliverytime of a substance 30. In one embodiment, manipulating the deliverytime of the substance 30 may involve segmenting the delivery time ofnicotine to a body 31. In another embodiment, manipulating the deliverytime of the substance 30 involves segmenting the delivery time of foodto a body 32. Removing a physical aspect of an addiction 10 may alsoinclude controlling a consumption amount of a substance 40. In oneembodiment, controlling a consumption amount of a substance 40 mayinvolve biochemically adjusting the body to lower nicotine levels bysmoking a cigarette at fixed segments 41 without sending a signal to thebrain, indicating the absence of nicotine 43. In another embodiment,controlling a consumption amount of a substance 40 may involve consuminga number of calories proportionate to a fixed segment 42, wherein thetotal number of calories consumed is below a daily limit 44.

Removing a physical aspect of an addiction 10 can be an important stepto a cessation method, such as quitting smoking. When smoking acigarette, nicotine levels in the body quickly rise and then fall afterthe cigarette is smoked. As the nicotine levels fall to a certain levelin the body, messages are sent to the brain indicating an imbalance. Thebrain/body interprets the messages sent to the brain indicating a lowlevel of nicotine in the bloodstream as a need to increase the nicotinelevel in the bloodstream (i.e. smoke a cigarette). The brain telling thebody to smoke another cigarette to raise and maintain a certain level ofnicotine in the bloodstream can be a physical addiction. The physicaladdiction to nicotine, as found in most cigarettes, is an example of aphysical aspect of an addiction that can be removed in accordance with acessation method. Moreover, removing a physical aspect of an addiction10 can be an important step of a management method, such as weightmanagement, or losing weight. Lack of physical activity can lead toobesity and other health problems. Thus, physical activity is acornerstone to a healthy body and managing and/or losing weight.Physical activity may be anything involving the use of the body'smuscles, such as, walking, running, exercising, cycling, playingoutside, and the like. Physical activity can burn calories and keep thebody lean. Lack of physical activity is an example of a physical aspectof an addiction that can be removed in a management method, such asmanaging and/or losing weight.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of correcting a behavioral association 20.Correcting a behavioral association 20 may include determining apersonal goal and fixing it to a tangible medium 50, reprogrammingthoughts and activities 60, and replacing an old negative behavior witha new positive behavior 70. For example, correcting a behavioralassociation 20 can be an important step in a cessation method, such asquitting smoking. As a person learns to be a smoker, they quickly learnthat smoking compliments, or accentuates, certain, common behaviors likehaving a cup of coffee, consuming an alcoholic beverage, talking on thephone, driving a car, ending a meal, etc. As the person smokes over aperiod of time, the person associates common behaviors, such as drivinga car, drinking coffee, etc., with smoking a cigarette. Once a commonactivity becomes associated with smoking a cigarette, it becomesdifficult or strange to engage in that activity without simultaneouslysmoking a cigarette. In other words, the body's mind has beenbehaviorally programmed to smoke a cigarette when engaging in certainroutine daily tasks and common activities. Correcting a behavioralassociation 20 may include reprogramming thoughts and activities 60,such that daily tasks and common activities may be accomplished withoutsmoking a cigarette. Moreover, smoking cigarettes can be designated asan old negative behavior that may be replaced with a new positivebehavior, such as walking or exercising. Thus, correcting a behavioralassociation 20 can be correcting a behavioral association betweensmoking cigarettes and common, daily activities.

Furthermore, correcting a behavioral association 20 can be an importantstep in a management method, such as managing and/or losing weight. As aperson learns to overeat, they also learn that eating, or consuming ameal, compliments and/or accentuates certain activities, such aswatching television, relaxing, socializing, consuming alcohol, preparingfor sleep, etc. In addition, people may associate food consumption withfeeling better, and may consume more than a healthy amount of food toalleviate stress, anger, sadness, etc. As a person overeats over aperiod of time, the person associates behaviors, such as sleeppreparation, watching television, feeling better etc., with consuming ameal. Once an activity becomes associated with consuming food, itbecomes difficult or strange to engage in that activity withoutsimultaneously consuming food. In other words, the body's mind has beenprogrammed to consume food when accomplishing or partaking in theseactivities. Correcting a behavioral association 20 may includereprogramming thoughts and activities 30, such that activities may beaccomplished without consuming a meal. Moreover, overeating can bedesignated as an old negative behavior that may be replaced with a newpositive behavior, such as walking or exercising. Thus, correcting abehavioral association 20 can be correcting a behavioral associationbetween consuming food and engaging in common activities.

With reference to FIG. 4, a cessation and management method 100 mayinclude providing a plurality of life cards 55 to assist and/or supportthe removal of the physical aspect of an addiction 10 and the correctionof the behavioral associations 20. Life cards 56 may be a collection ofpurposeful writing, embodied by tangible cards (e.g. hard copies) orelectronic deliverables (e.g. e-mail, real-time notification, wordprocessing document, short message service (SMS) message, manufacturingmessage specification (MMS), text message, etc.) displayed by or sent toa computer, smart phone, wireless device, personal digital assistant(PDA), wireless reading device, email address, social networking site,and the like. The life cards 56 may include a single word, a collectionof words, or images that may challenge the reader (e.g. user orparticipant in cessation and management method 100) to consider theirlife direction, enrich experiences, forget about bad experiences, engagein physical activity, think, leave their comfort zone, etc. Furthermore,life cards 56 may make the reader laugh, cry, sweat, share, experiencepain, experience joy, change attitudes, and the like. For example, thecollection of purposeful writing on the life cards 56 may include famousquotes, proverbs, inspirational language, names, emotions, values,virtues, holidays, observations, states of mind, activities, historicalevents, religious themes, scripture quotes, biblical events, commands,questions, foods, diet plans, words of encouragement, personalizedstories, celebrities, words of wisdom, or any word or words that mayfacilitate or provoke the reader to contemplate something other thanintaking a substance, such as smoking a cigarette or eating food, untila designated time. The designated times may be segmented by fixedintervals chosen or determined by a user, and the life cards 56 providesupport to a user in between consumption of a substance at the fixedinterval of time. Moreover, the life cards 56 may be a tangible itemsuch as cards, calendars, badges, dockets, schedules, sheets, programs,handbills, leaflets, or electronic versions thereof. Life cards 56 mayalso be referred to as support cards, cards, life messages, supportmessages, message cards, messages, stress relief cards, relief cards,topic cards, nutrition cards, cessation cards, management cards,activity cards, and the like. Additionally, the life cards 56 mayinclude a variety of classifications and/or topics, such as meditationcards, nutrition cards, physical activity cards, thinking cards, andother topics relating to inspiration and motivation.

Referring still to the drawings, FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of asmoking cessation method 200. Smoking cessation method 200 may includethe steps of instructing a user to determine a personal goal, whereinthe personal goal is fixed in a medium 210, instructing the user todetermine a fixed interval of time in between smoking a cigarette 220,instructing the user to smoke the cigarette at each fixed interval oftime 230 rather than in response to a lower nicotine level in abloodstream, providing a plurality of life cards 240, wherein the lifecards provide support in between smoking another cigarette at a nextinterval time, and providing a media component to facilitate a quietingof an internal dialogue 250. A user may be any person following thesteps of smoking cessation method 200. The user is typically a habitualor social smoker who desires to cease smoking cigarettes.

Embodiments of smoking cessation method 200 may include instructing auser to determine a personal goal, wherein the personal goal is fixed ina medium 210. In other words, the user should determine, select, choose,decide on, aim for, etc., a point in the future where they will quitsmoking. A personal goal should set a specific quit date, for example,30 days from commencing the smoking cessation method 200. If thepersonal goal is not accomplished, and the quit date passes, the usershould be instructed to determine another, new personal goal and fix itinto a medium. Moreover, fixing the personal goal in a medium mayinclude fixing the personal goal to a tangible medium, including anelectronic medium. In one embodiment, fixing the personal goal to amedium may include writing down the personal goal on paper, in anotebook, diary, calendar, dry erase board, or any tangible item thatcan be referenced or used as a reminder to the user. In otherembodiments, the medium may be digital memory of a computer, smartphone, PDA, wireless device, etc., using a word processing document, anemail, or any electronic means to fix the personal goal to an electronicmedium to provide a reference or reminder to the user. Before choosingthe personal goal, the user should think about the reasons they want toquit. The user may brainstorm and write down all of the reasons theydesire to quit smoking to clarify to themselves why the personal goal isimportant to accomplish.

Furthermore, smoking cessation method 200 may include the step ofinstructing the user to determine a fixed interval of time in betweensmoking a cigarette 220. The user should be instructed to determine,select, choose, etc., a fixed interval of time in between smoking acigarette that best suits the user's schedule, and other factors. Forexample, the user may determine a fixed interval of one or two hours inbetween smoking a cigarette. Those skilled in the art should appreciatethat the fixed interval could be more than one hour, less than one hour,or any reasonable amount of time. Additionally, the user should beinstructed to chose, pick, determine, etc., a smoke time 225. The smoketime may be a time during the interval hour, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, or50 minutes after the hour separated or segmented by the fixed intervalwherein the user smokes a cigarette. Heavier smokers, such as those whosmoke two packs per day, may choose two smoke times per hour, with theintention of tapering down to one smoke time per hour. Lighter smokers,such as a half a pack per day, may consider extending their fixedinterval. For instance, if the user selects a fixed interval of onehour, chooses 10 minutes after the hour, and begins the day at 8:00 AM,the user's smoke time would be 8:10 AM . . . 9:10 AM . . . 10:10 AM . .. 11:10 AM . . . until the day is over, usually when the user fallsasleep.

Another step in one embodiment of smoking cessation method 200 mayinclude instructing the user to smoke the cigarette at each of the fixedintervals of time 230. The user should smoke a single cigarette at thechosen smoke time, at each of the fixed intervals of time. Smoking thecigarette at a fixed interval of time rather than in response to a lowernicotine level helps to remove and/or control the physical addiction tonicotine. Normally, habitual smokers smoke a cigarette when performingcommon activities that they have behaviorally associated with smoking acigarette or based on messages are sent to the brain indicating a lowlevel of nicotine in the bloodstream. By smoking a cigarette at a fixedinterval of time, or at a smoke time, the user may remove the physicaladdiction to smoking cigarettes by not responding to physical urges dueto low levels of nicotine in the bloodstream. In addition, by smoking acigarette at a fixed interval of time, or at a smoke time, and not whileaccomplishing or performing common activities associated with smoking acigarette, the user may correct and/or break the behavioral associationsbetween smoking a cigarette and those common activities.

In another embodiment, the user may be instructed to smoke or not smokea cigarette via a phone coaching system and method. For example, theuser may be contacted on or around their scheduled smoke time to urge,support, etc., compliance with the smoking cessation method 200. Theuser may receive a phone call, text message, email, smart phonenotification, and the like, at or around their smoke time.

Further embodiments of a smoking cessation method 200 may includeproviding a plurality of life cards 240, wherein the life cards 56provide support to the user in between smoking another cigarette at anext interval time, or smoke time. Life cards 56, as described supra,help the user get through the time until the next cigarette.

The provided life cards 256 may include a multitude of topics, and maybe organized into a plurality of sets 256 n, each set corresponding to atime period associated with the smoking cessation method 200. Forexample, a first set of life cards may correspond to the first week auser is following the steps of the smoking cessation method 200, and asecond set of life cards may correspond to a second week. In anotherembodiment, a third set of life cards may correspond to the third monthinto the smoking cessation method 200. Moreover, the life cards 256 maybe provided by or made available over a network, such as an onlinewebsite.

Moreover, embodiments of smoking cessation method 200 may includeproviding at least one media component to facilitate a quieting of aninternal dialogue 250. A media component may a compact disc (CD),digital video disc (DVD), Blu-Ray® Disc, a digital audio encoding format(mp3), a video file format, such as AWV, an audio file format, such as aWAV, or any other audio, visual, or audio/visual file. The mediacomponent may contain music, lyrics, images, videos, spoken words,narration, speeches, animal sounds, environmental sounds, soothingnoise, or anything that may facilitate a user to slow down his or herheart rate, control their breathing, reach a level of comfortabilityand/or relaxation, etc. In one embodiment, the media components of thesmoking cessation method 200 may include a relaxation CD to facilitatethe relaxation of the user, and a DVD which may contain audio/visualinformation, marketing strategy, inspirational stories, links,resources, and the like. The media component player, such as a DVD orBlu-Ray® disc player, used to operate the media component may havewireless network capabilities to connect the user to a network to accessadditional content via the World Wide Web, wherein the content mayinclude interactive support groups, online database(s), or any othermaterial related to smoking cessation method 200. Moreover, the mediacomponent may be configured to facilitate a user quieting an internaldialogue, which prevents many others from quitting smoking. The internaldialogue may be a stream of thoughts running through the subconsciousand conscious of a user, reminding them of the pros and cons of quittingsmoking, the constant obstacles they face, or other aspects of life thatincrease stress levels. The internal dialogue may get in the way of truecommitment and self realization. By teaching or facilitating the userhow to quiet their internal dialogue, a user may learn techniques tofend off cravings, feel a true sense of self, begin to tap into thepower that they naturally possess, begin to let go of the past, feel theconnection to their natural state of health, allowing a re-connection totheir true self that is not attached to roles and cannot be damaged byinsult or criticism. Therefore, providing a media component tofacilitate an internal dialogue 250 may involve a change not only in thepsyche of a user, but changes and transformations in their bloodpressure, breathing rate, cardiovascular health, nicotine levels intheir bloodstream, and many changes to other physical aspects and/orconditions of their body.

In another embodiment, a plurality of meditation cards, sharing the sameproperties, qualities, and characteristics of life cards, may be used tofacilitate the quieting of an internal dialogue. For example, the usermay refer to the meditation cards that may prompt them or allow them tomeditate, thus quieting their internal dialogue. Meditation cards may beused either independent of a media components, or in conjunction withthe media component.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a weight management method 300 may include thesteps of instructing a user to determine a personal goal and fixing thepersonal goal to a medium 310, instructing the user to calculate a bodymass index to determine a target caloric intake 320, instructing theuser to determine a fixed interval of time in between consuming food330, instructing the user to consume food at each of the fixed intervalsof time 340, the food having a number of calories proportionate to thetarget caloric intake, wherein the number of calories consumed at all ofthe fixed intervals in a day are below a daily caloric intake, providinga plurality of life cards 350, wherein the life cards provide support tothe user in between consuming another meal at a next interval time, andproviding a media component to facilitate a quieting of an internaldialogue 360. A user may be any person following the steps of weightmanagement method 300. The user is typically a person who desires tomanage their weight, or desires to lose weight. Weight in embodiments ofweight management method 300 refers to a unit of mass, usually definingthe heaviness of a person, and typically measured in pounds (lbs),kilograms (kgs), stones (st), ounces (oz), and the like.

Embodiments of weight management method 300 may include the step ofinstructing a user to determine a personal goal and fixing the personalgoal to a medium 310. In other words, the user should determine, select,choose, decide on, aim for, etc., a total amount of weight lost by acertain date in the future. In other embodiments, a user may beinstructed to determine an ideal weight to be achieved by a certain datein the future. A personal goal should set a specific date and a specificamount lost or specific ideal weight, for example, the user may writedown that, “30 days from commencing the weight management method 300, Iwill have lost 10 pounds.” If the personal goal is not accomplished, andthe date passes without losing the weight, or reaching the ideal weight,the user should be instructed to determine another, new personal goaland fix it into a medium. Moreover, fixing the personal goal in a mediummay include fixing the personal goal to a tangible medium or electronicmedium. In one embodiment, fixing the personal goal to a medium mayinclude writing down the personal goal on paper, in a notebook, diary,calendar, dry erase board, or any tangible item that can be referencedor used as a reminder to the user. In other embodiments, the medium maybe a computer, smart phone, PDA, wireless device, etc., using a wordprocessing document, an email, or any electronic means to fix thepersonal goal to an electronic medium to provide a reference or reminderto the user. Before choosing the personal goal, the user should thinkabout the reasons they want to lose weight. The user may brainstorm andwrite down all of the reasons they desire to lose weight to clarify tothemselves why the personal goal is important to accomplish.

Furthermore, embodiments of a weight management method 300 may includeinstructing the user to calculate a body mass index to determine a dailycaloric intake 320. Body mass index (BMI) is a statistical measure of aperson's weight and height. For example, a body mass index may be usedto estimate a healthy body weight for a person's height. Body mass indexmay be calculated by applying the formula of

${B\; M\; I} = \frac{{{weight}({lb})} \times 703}{{{height}({in})}^{2}}$

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that other methods tocalculate a body mass index may be used. The body mass index is anumerical value that can be classified into categories, such asunderweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Once the body massindex is determined, the body mass index may be used to determine adaily caloric intake. In addition to the body mass index, other factorsshould be considered to determine a daily caloric intake, such as theamount of physical activity per week can factor into determining a dailycaloric intake, gender, and age. The daily caloric intake can be a totalamount of allowable calories per day to maintain a current weight. Forexample, a female, age 47, weighing 170 pounds, having a body mass indexof 29.2, with an activity level of 20-30 minutes of light activity 1-3times per week, may have a daily caloric intake of 2210 calories perday. Thus, the female in the above example may consume 2210 calories perday to maintain her current weight. To lose weight, she must consumefewer calories in a day than her daily caloric intake of 2210 calories.

Referring still to FIG. 6, embodiments of a weight management method 300may include the step of instructing the user to determine a fixedinterval of time in between consuming food 330. The user should beinstructed to determine, select, choose, etc., a fixed interval of timein between consuming food that best suits the user's schedule, and otherfactors, such as the amount of targeted weight loss. For example, theuser may determine a fixed interval of one or two hours in betweenconsuming food. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that thefixed interval could be more than one hour, less than one hour, or anyreasonable amount of time. Additionally, the user should be instructedto chose, pick, determine, etc., a meal time 325. The meal time may be atime during the interval hour, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 minutesafter the hour separated or segmented by the fixed interval wherein theuser consumes food having a caloric amount proportionate to a targetcaloric intake. The target caloric intake is the number of calories thatmay be consumed in a day to lose weight; the user may be instructed todetermine a target caloric intake based on how much weigh they wouldlike to lose, and the rate with which they wish to lose the weight. Thetarget caloric intake should be lower than the daily caloric intake.Furthermore, the target caloric intake should be divided by the amountof meals per day the user consumes 335. Most users should be instructedto consume at least six meals per day. Therefore, if the user selects afixed interval of two hours, chooses 10 minutes after the hour, decidesto consume 6 meals a day, and begins the day at 8:00 AM, the user's mealtime 325 would be at 8:10 AM . . . 10:10 AM . . . 12:10 PM . . . 2:10 PM. . . 4:10 PM . . . 5:10 PM . . . 6:10 PM . . . 7:10 PM . . . 8:10 PM,wherein each meal time would involve consuming a caloric amount equal tothe number of meals divided by the target caloric intake.

Moreover, the weight management method 300 may also include the step ofinstructing the user to consume food at each of the fixed intervals oftime 350, the food consumption having a number of calories proportionateto the target caloric intake, wherein the number of calories consumed atall of the fixed intervals in a day are below a daily caloric intake.The user should be instructed to consume a single meal at each of thefixed intervals of time, or the meal time 326, wherein the amount ofcalories in the meal is proportionate to the target caloric intake. Theamount of calories of each meal may be may be approximately the same foreach meal. However, the total amount of calories consumed in a day maynot exceed the target caloric intake if the user wishes to lose weight,and may be approximately equal to the daily caloric intake if the userwishes to maintain and manage a current weight. In addition, byconsuming food during a meal at a fixed interval of time, or at a mealtime (food time), and not while accomplishing or performing commonactivities associated overeating, the user may correct and/or break thebehavioral associations between eating and those common activitieslisted supra.

In another embodiment, the user may be instructed to consume the foodvia a phone coaching system and method. For example, the user may becontacted on or around their scheduled meal time to urge, support, etc.,compliance with the weight management method 300. The user may receive aphone call, text message, email, smart phone notification, and the like,at or around their meal time.

Further embodiments of a weight management method 300 may includeproviding a plurality of life cards 340, wherein the life cards providesupport to the user in between consuming another meal at a next intervaltime. Life cards 56, as described supra, help the user get through thetime until the next meal. The provided life cards 356 may include amultitude of topics, such as nutrition cards, activity cards, meditationcards and may be organized into a plurality of sets 356 n, each setcorresponding to a time period into the weight management method 300.For example, a first set of life cards may correspond to the first weeka user is following the steps of the weight management method 300, and asecond set of life cards may correspond to a second week. In anotherembodiment, a third set of life cards may correspond to the third monthinto the weight management method 300. Moreover, the life cards 356 maybe provided by or made available over a network, such as an onlinewebsite.

Moreover, embodiments of weight management method 300 may includeproviding at least one media component to facilitate a quieting of aninternal dialogue 350. A media component may a compact disc (CD),digital video disc (DVD), Blu-Ray® Disc, a digital audio encoding format(mp3), a video file format, such as AWV, an audio file format, such as aWAV, or any other audio, visual, or audio/visual file. The mediacomponent may contain music, lyrics, images, videos, spoken words,narration, speeches, animal sounds, environmental sounds, soothingnoise, or anything that may facilitate a user to slow down his or herheart rate, control their breathing, reach a level of comfortabilityand/or relaxation, etc. In one embodiment, the media components of theweight management method 300 may include a relaxation CD to facilitatethe relaxation of the user, and a DVD which may contain audio/visualinformation, marketing strategy, inspirational stories, links,resources, and the like. The media component player, such as a DVD orBlu-Ray® disc player, used to operate the media component may havewireless network capabilities to connect the user to a network to accessadditional content via the World Wide Web, wherein the content mayinclude interactive support groups, online database(s), or any othermaterial related to weight management method 300. Moreover, the mediacomponent may be configured to facilitate a user quieting an internaldialogue, which prevents many others from managing and/or losing weight.The internal dialogue may be a stream of thoughts running through thesubconscious and conscious of a user, reminding them of the pros andcons of eating healthy (i.e. losing weight), the constant obstacles theyface, or other aspects of life that increase stress levels. The internaldialogue may get in the way of true commitment and self realization. Byteaching or facilitating the user how to quiet their internal dialogue,a user may learn techniques to fend off food cravings, feel a true senseof self, begin to tap into the power that they naturally possess, beginto let go of the past, feel the connection to their natural state ofhealth, allowing a re-connection to their true self that is not attachedto roles and cannot be damaged by insult or criticism. Therefore,providing a media component to facilitate an internal dialogue 350 mayinvolve a change not only in the psyche of a user, but changes andtransformations in their blood pressure, breathing rate, cardiovascularhealth, glucose levels in their bloodstream, and many changes to otherphysical aspects and/or conditions of their body, such as a lowerpercentage of body fat.

With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of system 401 may be used with acomputer-implemented smoking cessation method 500 and acomputer-implemented weight management method 600. System 401 maycomprise user interfaces 408 a . . . 408 n connected through a network407 to a computing system 410. Network 407 may comprise any type ofnetwork including, inter alia, a telephone network, a cellular telephonenetwork, a local area network, (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet, etc. User interfaces 408 a . . . 408 n may comprise any typeof devices capable of implementing a social network including, interalia, a telephone, a cellular telephone, a digital assistant (PDA), asmart phone, a video game system, an audio/video player, a personalcomputer, a laptop computer, a computer terminal, etc. Each of userinterfaces 408 a . . . 408 n may comprise a single device or a pluralityof devices. User interfaces 408 a . . . 408 n are used by end users forcommunicating with each other and computing system 410. For example,users may use the user interfaces 408 a . . . 408 n to confirm theconsumption of a meal or that they smoked a cigarette at the meal timeor smoke time, respectively, by communication with the processor 491.Additionally, users may input data, such as personal goals, body massindex, interval times, smoke times, meal times, daily caloric intake,target caloric intake, and other data associated with smoking cessationand weight managements Computing system 410 may comprise any type ofcomputing system(s) including, inter alia, a personal computer (PC), aserver computer, a database computer, etc. Computing system 410 is usedto measure and monitor smoking cessation and weight management methodimplemented using devices 408 a . . . 408 n. Computing system 410 maycomprise a memory system 414. Memory system 414 may comprise a singlememory system. Alternatively, memory system 414 may comprise a pluralityof memory systems. Memory system 414 may also comprise a softwareapplication 418 and a database 412. Database 412 may include allretrieved and calculated data associated with measuring and monitoringsmoking cessation and/or weight management plan. Software application418 enables a computer-implemented smoking cessation method and/or aweight management method 500, 600.

Referring now to FIG. 8, computing system 410 and/or softwareapplication 418 enables a computer-implemented smoking cessation method500. For example, embodiments of a computer-implemented smokingcessation method 500 may comprise the steps of receiving, by a computerprocessor 491 of a computing system 410 from a user interface 408 a, afirst input data 510, wherein the first input data is a personal goalchosen by a user, receiving, by the computer processor 491 from the userinterface 408 a, a second input data 520, wherein the second input dataincludes a fixed interval of time determined by the user, transmitting,by the computer processor to the user interface, a real-timenotification indicating an occurrence of the second input data 530,receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, aconfirmation of an occurrence of an event 540, wherein the event is theuser smoking a cigarette, presenting, by the computer processor to theuser interface, a plurality of life cards 550, wherein the plurality oflife cards support the user in between the user smoking anothercigarette, and transmitting, by the computer processor to the userinterface in response to a request from the user interface, anaudio/visual file 560, wherein the audio/visual file, when played,quiets an internal dialogue of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 9, computing system 410 and/or softwareapplication 418 enables a computer-implemented weight management method600. For example, embodiments of a computer-implemented weightmanagement method 600 may comprise receiving, by a computer processor491 of a computing system 410 from a user interface 408 a, a first inputdata 610, wherein the first input data is a personal goal chosen by auser, receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, asecond input data 620, wherein the second input data includes a fixedinterval of time determined by the user, receiving, by the computerprocessor from the user interface, a third input data 630, wherein thethird input data is a body mass index of the user, a target caloricintake, or a daily caloric intake, transmitting, by the computerprocessor to the user interface, a real-time notification indicating anoccurrence of the second input data 640, receiving, by the computerprocessor from the user interface, a confirmation of an occurrence of anevent 650, wherein the event is the user consuming a meal at the fixedinterval of time, the meal having a number of calories proportionate tothe target caloric intake, further wherein the number of caloriesconsumed at all of the fixed intervals in a day are below a dailycaloric intake, presenting, by the computer processor to the userinterface, a plurality of life cards 660, wherein the plurality of lifecards support the user in between the user consuming another meal, andtransmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface inresponse to a request from the user interface, an audio/visual file 670,wherein the audio/visual file, when played, quiets an internal dialogueof the user.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an embodiment of a computer apparatus 490(e.g., computing system 401 of FIG. 7) used for a smoking cessation andweight management method, is now described. The computer system 490comprises a processor 491, an input device 492 coupled to the processor491, an output device 493 coupled to the processor 491, and memorydevices 494 and 495 each coupled to the processor 491. The input device492 may be, inter alia, a keyboard, a software application, a mouse,etc. The output device 493 may be, inter alia, a printer, a plotter, acomputer screen, a magnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk,a software application, etc. The memory devices 494 and 495 may be,inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an opticalstorage such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc (DVD), adynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. Thememory device 495 includes a computer code 497. The computer code 497includes algorithms or steps (e.g., the algorithms and/or steps of FIGS.1-9) for a smoking cessation and weight management method 100, 200, 300,400, 500, 600. The processor 491 executes the computer code 497. Thememory device 494 includes input data 496. The input data 496 includesinput required by the computer code 497. The output device 493 displaysoutput from the computer code 497. Either or both memory devices 494 and495 (or one or more additional memory devices not shown in FIG. 7) maycomprise the algorithms and/or steps of FIGS. 1-9 and may be used as acomputer usable medium (or a computer readable medium or a programstorage device) having a computer readable program code embodied thereinand/or having other data stored therein, wherein the computer readableprogram code comprises the computer code 497. Generally, a computerprogram product (or, alternatively, an article of manufacture) of thecomputer system 490 may comprise the computer usable medium (or saidprogram storage device). While FIG. 7 shows the computer system 490 as aparticular configuration of hardware and software, any configuration ofhardware and software, as would be known to a person of ordinary skillin the art, may be utilized for the purposes stated supra in conjunctionwith the particular computer system 490. For example, the memory devices494 and 495 may be portions of a single memory device rather thanseparate memory devices.

With continued reference to the drawings, FIG. 11 depicts an embodimentof a smoking cessation kit 700. Smoking cessation kit 700 may be used tohelp a user quit smoking cigarettes. Embodiments of smoking cessationkit 700 may include a plurality of life cards 710, wherein the lifecards provide support to a user, at least one media component 720, a setof instructions 730, wherein the instructions include instructing theuser to determine a personal goal, wherein the personal goal is fixed ina medium, instructing the user to determine a fixed interval of time inbetween smoking a cigarette, instructing the user to smoke the cigaretteat each of the fixed intervals of time rather than in response to alower nicotine level in a bloodstream, and a publication 740, thepublication including a plurality of personal success stories aboutquitting smoking.

Life cards 756 of kit 700 may help the user get through the time untilthe next cigarette. The provided life cards 756, as described supra, mayinclude a multitude of topics, and may be organized into a plurality ofsets 756 n, each set corresponding to a time period associated with theinstructions provided in kit 700. For example, a first set of life cardsmay correspond to the first week a user is following instructionsprovided in kit 700, and a second set of life cards may correspond to asecond week. In another embodiment, a third set of life cards maycorrespond to the third month into the smoking cessation method embodiedby kit 700.

The at least one media component of kit 700 may be a compact disc (CD),digital video disc (DVD), Blu-Ray® Disc, a digital audio encoding format(mp3), a video file format, such as AWV, an audio file format, such as aWAV, or any other audio, visual, or audio/visual file. The mediacomponent may contain music, lyrics, images, videos, spoken words,narration, speeches, animal sounds, environmental sounds, soothingnoise, or anything that may facilitate a user to slow down his or herheart rate, control their breathing, reach a level of comfortabilityand/or relaxation, etc. In one embodiment, the media components of thekit 700 may include a relaxation CD to facilitate the relaxation of theuser, and a DVD containing audio/visual information, marketing strategy,inspirational stories, links, resources, and the like. The DVD orBlu-Ray® disc player may have wireless network capabilities to connectthe user to a network to access additional kit 700 content via the WorldWide Web.

The elements of kit 700 may be placed within a physical container, box,unit, kit, item, etc., for distribution to potential users. The physicalbox may include attractive designs, any trademarks associated with thedistributor, and the design of the box may vary. In one embodiment, kit700 may be purchased by a person seeking help with quitting smoking. Thekit 700 may provide tangible resources for a user to utilize during theperiod of time associated with quitting smoking. Kit 700 may alsoinclude any tangible embodiment of an element of the smoking cessationmethod 200 described supra. In addition, kit 700 may also include aworkbook, wherein the workbook includes exercises, listed goals,challenges, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a weight management kit 800 may be used tohelp a user manage his or her weight, or lose weight. Embodiments of aweight management kit 800 may include a plurality of life cards 810,wherein the life cards provide support to a user, a media component 820,a set of instructions 830, wherein the instructions include instructingthe user to determine a personal goal and fixing the personal goal to amedium, instructing the user to calculate a body mass index to determinea target caloric intake, instructing the user to determine a fixedinterval of time in between consuming a meal, instructing the user toconsume the meal at each of the fixed intervals of time, the meal havinga number of calories proportionate to the target caloric intake, whereinthe number of calories consumed at all of the fixed intervals in a dayare below a daily caloric intake, and a publication 840, the publicationincluding a plurality of personal success stories with managing andlosing weight.

Life cards 856 of kit 800 may help the user get through the time untilconsumption of more food. The provided life cards 856, as describedsupra, may include a multitude of topics, and may be organized into aplurality of sets 856 n, each set corresponding to a time periodassociated with the instructions provided in kit 800. For example, afirst set of life cards may correspond to the first week a user isfollowing instructions provided in kit 800, and a second set of lifecards may correspond to a second week. In another embodiment, a thirdset of life cards may correspond to the third month into the weightmanagement and/or loss method embodied by kit 800.

The at least one media component of kit 800 may be a compact disc (CD),digital video disc (DVD), Blu-Ray® Disc, a digital audio encoding format(mp3), a video file format, such as AWV, an audio file format, such as aWAV, or any other audio, visual, or audio/visual file. The mediacomponent may contain music, lyrics, images, videos, spoken words,narration, speeches, animal sounds, environmental sounds, soothingnoise, or anything that may facilitate a user to slow down his or herheart rate, control their breathing, reach a level of comfortabilityand/or relaxation, etc. In one embodiment, the media components of thekit 800 may include a relaxation CD to facilitate the relaxation of theuser, and a DVD containing audio/visual information, marketing strategy,inspirational stories, links, resources, and the like. The DVD orBlu-Ray® disc player may have wireless network capabilities to connectthe user to a network to access additional kit 800 content via the WorldWide Web.

The elements of kit 800 may be placed within a physical container, box,unit, kit, item, etc., for distribution to potential users. The physicalbox may include attractive designs, any trademarks associated with thedistributor, and the design of the box may vary. In one embodiment, kit800 may be purchased by a person seeking help with managing and/orlosing weight. The kit 800 may provide tangible resources for a user toutilize during the period of time associated with managing and/or losingweight. Kit 800 may also include any tangible embodiment of an elementof the weight management method 300 described supra. In addition, kit800 may also include a workbook, wherein the workbook includesexercises, listed goals, challenges, and the like.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims. The claims provide thescope of the coverage of the invention and should not be limited to thespecific examples provided herein.

1. A cessation and management method comprising: removing a physicalaspect of an addiction, wherein removing the physical aspect of anaddiction includes instructing a user to manipulate a delivery time of asubstance, and instructing the user to control an intake amount of thesubstance; correcting a behavioral association, wherein correcting thebehavioral associations includes instructing the user to determine apersonal goal and fixing it to a medium, facilitating the user toreprogram thoughts and activities, and facilitating the user to replacean old negative behavior with a new positive behavior; and providing aplurality of life cards to assist the removal of the physical aspect ofthe addiction and the correction of the behavioral associations.
 2. Thecessation and management method of claim 1, wherein manipulating thedelivery time of the substance involves segmenting delivery time ofnicotine to a body.
 3. The cessation and management method of claim 1,wherein manipulating the delivery time of the substance involvessegmenting delivery time of food to a body.
 4. The cessation andmanagement method of claim 1, wherein controlling a consumption amountof the substance involves consuming a number of calories proportionateto a fixed segment, wherein the total number of calories consumed arebelow a daily limit.
 5. The cessation and management method of claim 1,wherein controlling a consumption amount of the substance involvessmoking a cigarette at fixed segments to biochemically adjust the body'snicotine levels.
 6. The cessation and management program of claim 1,wherein the plurality of life cards are remotely accessible over anetwork.
 7. A smoking cessation method comprising: instructing a user todetermine a personal goal, wherein the personal goal is fixed in amedium; instructing the user to determine a fixed interval of time inbetween smoking a cigarette; instructing the user to smoke the cigaretteat each of the fixed intervals of time rather than in response to alower nicotine level in a bloodstream; providing a plurality of lifecards, wherein the life cards provide support in between smoking anothercigarette at a next interval time; and providing at least one mediacomponent to facilitate a quieting of an internal dialogue.
 8. Thesmoking cessation method of claim 7, wherein the medium is an electronicmedium.
 9. The smoking cessation method of claim 7, wherein theplurality of life cards are available over a network.
 10. The smokingcessation method of claim 7, wherein the at least one media component isa compact disc including media that fosters meditation.
 11. The smokingcessation method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of life cards areorganized into a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of setscorresponding to a duration of user involvement in the smoking cessationmethod.
 12. A weight management method comprising: instructing a user todetermine a personal goal and fixing the personal goal to a medium;instructing the user to calculate a body mass index to determine atarget caloric intake; instructing the user to determine a fixedinterval of time in between consuming food; instructing the user toconsume food at each of the fixed intervals of time, the food having anumber of calories proportionate to the target caloric intake, whereinthe number of calories consumed at all of the fixed intervals in a dayare below a daily caloric intake; providing a plurality of life cards,wherein the life cards provide support to the user in between consumingmore food at a next interval time; and providing at least one mediacomponent to facilitate a quieting of an internal dialogue.
 13. Theweight management method of claim 12, wherein the number of caloriesconsumed at all of the fixed intervals in a day are approximately equalto the daily caloric intake when maintaining a current weight.
 14. Theweight management of claim 12, wherein the plurality of life cards areavailable over a network.
 15. The weight management method of claim 12,wherein the medium is an electronic medium.
 16. The weight managementmethod of claim 12, wherein the plurality of life cards are organizedinto a plurality of sets, each of the plurality of sets corresponding toa duration of user involvement in the weight management method.
 17. Amethod comprising: receiving, by a computer processor of a computingsystem from a user interface, a first input data, wherein the firstinput data is a personal goal chosen by a user; receiving, by thecomputer processor from the user interface, a second input data, whereinthe second input data includes a fixed interval of time determined bythe user; transmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface,a real-time notification indicating an occurrence of the second inputdata; receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, aconfirmation of an occurrence of an event, wherein the event is the usersmoking a cigarette; presenting, by the computer processor to the userinterface, a plurality of life cards, wherein the plurality of lifecards support the user in between the user smoking another cigarette;and transmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface inresponse to a request from the user interface, at least one audio/visualfile, wherein the at least one audio/visual file, when played, quiets aninternal dialogue of the user.
 18. A method comprising: receiving, by acomputer processor of a computing system from a user interface, a firstinput data, wherein the first input data is a personal goal chosen by auser; receiving, by the computer processor from the user interface, asecond input data, wherein the second input data includes a fixedinterval of time determined by the user; receiving, by the computerprocessor from the user interface, a third input data, wherein the thirdinput data is a body mass index of the user; transmitting, by thecomputer processor to the user interface, a real-time notificationindicating an occurrence of the second input data; receiving, by thecomputer processor from the user interface, a confirmation of anoccurrence of an event, wherein the event is the user consuming food atthe fixed interval of time, the food having a number of caloriesproportionate to the daily caloric intake, further wherein the number ofcalories consumed at all of the fixed intervals in a day are below adaily caloric intake; presenting, by the computer processor to the userinterface, a plurality of life cards, wherein the plurality of lifecards support the user in between the user consuming more food; andtransmitting, by the computer processor to the user interface inresponse to a request from the user interface, at least one audio/visualfile, wherein the at least one audio/visual file, when played, quiets aninternal dialogue of the user.
 19. A kit comprising: a plurality of lifecards, wherein the life cards provide support to a user; at least onemedia component; a set of instructions, wherein the instructions includeinstructing the user to determine a personal goal, wherein the personalgoal is fixed in a medium; instructing the user to determine a fixedinterval of time in between smoking a cigarette; instructing the user tosmoke the cigarette at each of the fixed intervals of time rather thanin response to a lower nicotine level in a bloodstream; and at least onepublication, the at least one publication including a plurality ofpersonal success stories about quitting smoking.
 20. A kit comprising: aplurality of life cards, wherein the life cards provide support to auser; at least one media component; a set of instructions, wherein theinstructions include instructing the user to determine a personal goaland fixing the personal goal to a medium; instructing the user tocalculate a body mass index to determine a target caloric intake;instructing the user to determine a fixed interval of time in betweenconsuming food; instructing the user to consume the food at each of thefixed intervals of time, the food having a number of caloriesproportionate to the target caloric intake, wherein the number ofcalories consumed at all of the fixed intervals in a day are below adaily caloric intake; and at least one publication, the publicationincluding a plurality of personal success stories about managing andlosing weight.